Karen Pallansch, General Manager, Alexandria Sanitation Authority, WEF President Jeanette Brown, Frances Lucraft of the International Water Association, and U.S. EPA’s Dr. Ellen Gilinsky were featured speakers at the September 19 World Water Monitoring Day celebration in Washington D.C. , where some 200 students gathered to monitor the Potomac River for core water quality parameters. Following are excerpts from Karen’s remarks.